Burninated

In a fit of carelessness and bad comedy that could probably rival Mr. Bean, I almost managed to set the apartment on fire today. Well, nothing so dramatic, but I DID manage to finally do what almost every international student does at least once while studying overseas. I set off the smoke alarm with my rather questionable cooking skills.

The evening started innocently enough. 1-UP will be picked up by the vet in a few hours and I was due to cook some chicken parmigiana and some garlic prawns for dinner. Enter the olive oiled frying pan, which I set over the stove to heat before I was to place my defrosted chicken filets. Seeing as to how i'm gearing up for tomorrow's career fair at uni, I scooted over to the computer and checked out a few employer websites. I must have waited too long because when I returned to place the chicken into the pan, the whole ensemble literally burst into flames the moment flesh hit oily steel. This quickly set off the smoke alarm which to my relief (and slight surprise) did not summon the authorities. I guess we're supposed to call if it got really bad. I doused the small but definitely raging inferno with some water and surveyed the damage.

For one, I doubt I could turn THAT particular piece of breast filet into anything edible. No problem, I have spares. The countertop itself was undamaged, and it looks like the only thing I need to do is to wipe the soot off the cupboard doors and ceiling. Thank. God. I can certainly think of worse things that could have happened. The rest of the chicken has been safely grilled and is now in the oven with the prawns to cook the sauce and melt the cheese.

Dinner should still be quite alright. Now I better go check the oven....